Reviews for Nettle Bay Vacation Rental - VRBO 417417 - 1 BR St Maarten Apartment in St. Martin (St Maarten), Luxury Beachfront Apartment on the Beach and Tropical Garden

Vacation

Guest Fred
Date of stay 02/15/13
Review Submitted 03/12/13

Beautiful location and service by Isabelle and Mical. Pool and ocean steps away. Homey with all the right touches. We hope to be back again next year.

Recommended for: Families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

merveilleux

Guest Monia L.
Date of stay 01/30/13
Review Submitted 02/05/13

Amazing condo with all you need on a beautiful quiet site. The view is fantastic a few steps from the sea. Many beaches to visit nearby. We had a wonderful time. Thank you Michal and Isabelle. We highly recommand this little treasure one week is too short. Monia and Jean Montreal Canada

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

Perfect Honeymoon Hideaway

Guest charthoman
Date of stay 01/26/13
Review Submitted 01/31/13

My new husband and I stayed here for the last two nights of our honeymoon. We thought it was a really beautiful spot to enjoy a quiet secluded stay, and it was. The villa is beautifully decorated and we were very happy with the deck right on the beach. There were a few things that we had trouble with - mostly simple things that the Michal quickly fixed. We are from the US, and forgot a power adapter, which he brought over for us to use. A few things were not working and/or we couldn't figure out but those small things didn't put us out. Be sure to ask how everything works before the property manager leaves (washer/dryer, extra towels, TV, iron, etc.). There was a lovely french pastry shop and pizza shack located within walking distance and I would highly recommend a visit to both. If you are planning on being close to all of the action and attractions, this might not be the place for you. If you plan on renting a car, and want to enjoy peace and quiet with a magnificent beach view, this will be perfect. Taxi's are tricky to locate, and we had to make arrangements in advance for airport pickups, etc. Once you get the lay of the land and explore the island, you will find this villa to be a sanctuary and a good "secret" spot to enjoy a cocktail at sunset. We met our neighbors who were renting for two weeks, and they loved every bit about the location. Communication with property manager was wonderful and our requests/questions were quickly answered. Thank you very much for a wonderful visit. We hope to be back again someday! -Charlynn & Hunter Patterson

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Two stars at the most.....maybe.

Guest BB
Date of stay 12/27/12
Review Submitted 01/07/13

We have been coming to St. Maarten twice a year for the last five years. I have to say this was the worst condo we have ever stayed in. Nothing is as it seems...the picture are old. To start with, the condo was extremely dirty. The pictures look great, but if the condo is dirty......who would want to stay there. The kitchen counters had a layer of greasy, sticky film that appeared as though it had not been cleaned in weeks. I could understand if they had missed some areas, but it was clear there was never an attempt to clean the counters. When I confronted Michal about the dirty counter tops, he said absolutely nothing. Instead, he grabbed a paper towel and wet it and proceeded to wipe the counter. I told him that would not clean the counter and that I could do that myself if I thought that would resolve the issue. He never acknowledged the conditions or offered any resolution. He did however ask me to make a pay the balance of the bill on his computer since we could not connect to the WI-fi. My husband and I were originally asked to pay the balance in cash (huge red flag). The appliances, refrigerator and the seating area was dirty with visible stains. Someone had cut a shower curtain and placed it over the couch as a cover. I discovered a layer of dirt under the couch while retrieving my sandals. There were no voltage adapters for American outlets since the condo is on the French side, although he did bring one after two days for my husband and I to share. Working the television was a complex task and required a visit from Michal to show us how to work it. In addition, there was someone stay upstairs which made us uncomfortable not knowing if the could enter into our side of the condo. We could hear everything that was going on upstairs and I am sure they could hear everything downstairs. After the first night we tried to find another place to stay, but since it was a few days before New Years, every place was booked. Yes, the condo is located on the beach but there is no pillows, lamps or covering like the one that appears in the picture of the outside lounge area. There was no hammock or rugs in the condo. No dryer and not all of the light switches worked. The reviews listed are good, but this was definitely not our experience. I would not recommend staying here.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/7

Nettle Bay Beach Club (rental # 250174)

Guest Dave T.
Date of stay 12/17/12
Review Submitted 01/04/13

Really really nice location. We were very pleased with the whole process, the entire package from being picked up at the airport, delivery to pick up a rental car and the return to the airport by the car rental folk..Michael had arranged it all. The listing was as it was described and was clean maybe could be a little more done in the maintenance department. Some of the dishes and glasses were cracked...some of the light bulbs were burned out...they really should be replaced. Overall these are very minor things and would not stop us from recommending this property. It certainly was a great place to "hang out ". Lots of things to do and places to eat on the island. Driving was good, about 80 % plus,of the drivers were courteous and cautious.The weather was great!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Beachfront Paradise!

Guest Rockell W.
Date of stay 10/12/12
Review Submitted 10/28/12

My husband, myself and our 2 boys had an amazing time staying at the apartment. Being truly beachfront was wonderful and each day we were either on the beach or in the pool. Not having to walk or drive to the beach made us feel like we were in our own paradise. The location was perfect and very peaceful. Being picked up and dropped off at the airport by Michal made everything very easy. Thank you very much and next time we want to stay longer! A list of recommended best restaurants and things to do would be good to have in the apartment.

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wish i was there right now....

Guest mel f.
Date of stay 06/10/12
Review Submitted 07/25/12

Our first time using this site, and was hesitant that it was legit--but all was perfect- Apt was beautfful--tastefuly decorated and clean. Hana was available by e mail to make arrangements. and to answer quesions during out stay Great pizza place accross the street , good bakery walking distance (but try the one in marigot harbor instead for the best crepes ever). definately recommend booking here. Awesome sunday beach party at bar down the road--Great beaches within 5-10 minute drive (nettle bay not our favorite--very rocky) Would definately return....

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Great vacation

Guest Shannan A.
Date of stay 03/18/12
Review Submitted 03/24/12

We had a great experience staying at this rental. Our flight was delayed due to fog, I emailed Hana the new flight details and she was at the airport ready to pick us up. Hana drove us to our home for the week and provided information on where to eat, the market and bakery. We rented a car from Hana, she dropped off the keys and we were ready to roll. The pictures are true to life for this rental, we had everything we needed. The island was beautiful, our only regret is that we couldn't stay longer to explore more of the island. Would recommend this rental, it was a stress free vacation, can't wait to go back!

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Home away from Home

Guest c s.
Date of stay 02/07/12
Review Submitted 04/11/12

For three years now we have been coming to St Martin and staying in this lovely apartment in Nettle Bay Beach Club. Every year, as we pack to leave, we feel the regret and every year as the time draws near, we look forward to staying in this same apartment. The simple and elegant furnishings and decorations make it a pleasure to stay here, as well as the location. It is close to all the important amenities. Who could ask for more than to be living on a beautiful beach and across from a pool. It is hard to sometimes leave our "home away from home" as it is so comfortable both inside and outside. When we do go out, everything is close. Baie Rouge, another wonderful beach, is close by. The wonderful town of Marigot is just a six minute drive away. If we don't feel like going to Marigot to enjoy the breads and pastries, we can simply walk a two minute distance and find delicious croissants at the local patisserie. The apartment itself is clean and comfortable and a pleasure to look at. Hana has a lovely eye for decorating and so it has become a haven for our winter escapes. We enjoy cooking our dinners either on the barbeque or the oven. It is comforting to have familiar amenities in the kitchen. Hana even remembers that we love to make "smoothies" and ensures that the blender is out and ready for us! If there is ever a need for anything, Hana tries her best to accommodate us. She is always a quick e-mail away. Because Hana is also a pilates instructor, I have the pleasure of private lessons in the apartment. She has really helped me improve my workout routines! Our neighbours in Nettle Bay Beach Club are friendly and enjoyable to spend time with. They and Hana are what make this place our "home away from home" and we look forward to coming back next year. truly, YOUR CANADIAN FRIENDS

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Beautiful condo

Guest Sheila S.
Date of stay 01/31/12
Review Submitted 02/08/12

Our stay at Nettle Bay was beautiful. It started a bit unexpectedly as the condo was double booked and we were put up across the street in another complex having to meet up with Hanna at noon the following day to transfer luggage and then again at 4 to actually get the keys and move in essentially losing the first day of our vacation. Instead of simply taking off a bit of money to rectify the issue there was mention of taking us out for dinner to make up for the inconvenience. Although a wonderful gesture it turned out to be a bit frustrating as there was misunderstandings due to language barriers. Hanna did end up taking us for breakfast on our last day which was lovely but admittedly it would have been nicer to have simply been compensated monetarily as our time on the beautiful island of St. Martin was limited to only 7 days and we put out a lot of time trying to figure out where and when we should meet and eat. The condo itself is beautiful and in a very convenient location with most things within 30 minutes in a car. We were disappointed in the beach on nettle bay however, which is essentially unusable due to poor weather and rough water. Every day we woke up to overcast windy weather and alot of rain which seemed to be only at Nettle Bay. Driving 10 minutes to Marigot or Simpson Bay led to gorgeous hot weather leaving it impossible to just have a day "at home on the beach". The complex itself however was extremely safe and the people were wonderful leaving us happy with our choice of locations. The rental car was great and we definitely put it to great use! Driving on the island was easy and the local people are warm, genuine and wonderful. Addmitedly I think the next time we go we will stay in a location such as Grand Case where there is more to do and driving daily is not essential to have a great beach day, the condo itself is impeccably beautiful however, with all the comforts of home!

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Sun, Surf, Sand... what more can you ask for :)

Guest Deeba S.
Date of stay 08/22/11
Review Submitted 09/23/11

Our stay was truly wonderful! From our initial greeting at the airport when Michal picked us up, the short scenic drive and to our arrival at the condo... we were so pleased to see that the pictures were truly representative of our realty for the next 10 days! The condo was clean, was updated with a new bathroom/kitchen/and large screen tv... the furniture was comfortable both indoor and out...We so appreciated the small details - the owners provided us with a highchair, pack n play, small dishes for our 17 month old son... not to mention that they had a car with a car seat installed all ready for us to start our adventures on the island! We highly recommend the trip to Pinel island, and truly fell in love with Baie Rouge... we loved our morning walk to the bakery - the croissants are melt in your mouth delicious... although i will say that some of our favorite moments were spent relaxing at the condo, swimming in the ocean outside our front door, taking dips in the pool (the highlight of the trip is that our son learned how to swim at the tender age of 17 months :)... This is a child friendly condo, the area was quiet, the neighbors were kind, and we were centrally located... it is worth mentioning that the car rental is a must... it is truly the only way to get around the island. We would love to return to Michal and Hanna's home... it was all that it was described to be and they were truly gracious hosts.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Spring Get-away 2011

Guest Lynnelle
Date of stay 04/26/11
Review Submitted 05/09/11

We spent 7 leisurely days at this luxury beach apt. The photos don't do the beautiful marble floors and granite countertops and backsplashes justice. The entire apt. was spotless and easy to keep clean. The appliances were all high quality and worked perfectly. There was no "clothes dryer" as listed, but rather a nice front-loading clothes washer. Clothes dry quickly on the drying rack on the porch. The outside lounge area had a brand new white canopy supported by a white wooden frame. With the automatic wall raised, there were actually two nice living areas, giving access to the fresh breeze and the breath-taking view of the bay and the nearby town of Marigot. The lights across the bay are beautiful at night. Although Michal was in Europe, he responded promptly to our emails. His lovely wife, Hanna, picked us up at the airport, got us situated in the apt., delivered a clean car for our use (which is a must), and picked us up promptly to catch our flight out. She also responded to our emails since we chose not to buy a local SIM card for our cell phone (but we probably should have). We prepared all but 2 of our meals at the apt., as the restaurant prices were more than 2 times what they are at home. We should have taken more US cash. Most shops and grocery stores on either side don't accept credit cards for small purchases under $15-20 US dollars. The 2 gas stations we used didn't accept plastic at all. Everything there has to be imported; thus the high prices, such as $6.99 for 1/2 gal. of milk at the store, or $4.00 for a tiny glass of iced tea. Our best time in the water was on Pinel Island. The water was as calm as a swimiming pool, but to see any fish you needed to take the path to the snorkeling area which we didn't notice until we left. Run to stake your claim on the beach chairs immediately when you get out of the ferry boat or you'll be left standing for an hour in the hot sun until an hourly boat leaves. A guy will come collect $20 cash for your use of 2 chairs w/umbrella. The last return boat leaves Pinel at 4pm. Be on it or they "bring you coffee in the morning!" When driving on St. Martin, be prepared for narrow roads full of potholes, few street signs, no traffic lights, lots of wandering pedestrians, motorcycles that drive between you and oncoming traffic, and other drivers who do not yield and will pull out in front of you. We found the best & safest place to stay was in our comfortable apt. on the beach.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Fabulous 2 Weeks

Guest Paul
Date of stay 01/24/11
Review Submitted 05/09/11

We were fortunate enough to stay at Monte Cristo from January 24, 2011 for 2 weeks. Michael met us at the airport with the vehicle we had rented from him and it was a smooth transition. On our way to the villa, Michael was kind enough to stop at the Super Marche so we could do a quick grocery pickup and grab some cocktails to tide us over. Once we entered the villa and opened the door to the deck and beach we felt we were in heaven. The view and the patio furniture outdid the pictures. The villa was equipped with all of the utensils one would need for a totally comfortable stay. As another individual stated in a previous review the only thing missing was the canopy over the deck. This actually worked out well for us as we were able to enjoy the sun while sipping on a cool glass of wine. Michael gave us tips and directions on exploring some of the best beaches. We fell in love with Plum Bay-----very laid back and beautiful. We thoroughly enjoyed the island, the people and the food. One of our favourite restaurants become Mati Beach. It was such a pleasure to just walk down 167 steps on the beach to our bit of paradise. We loved walking to the bakery every morning for our fresh baguette. We really hated to leave. Michael was kind enough again to drop us off at the airport. Don't hesitate to book this piece of heaven. Thank you Michael & Hana. Paul & Susan Winnipeg Manitoba Canada

Recommended for: Romantic getaway

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Holidays 2010

Guest Sharon R.
Date of stay 12/21/10
Review Submitted 01/31/11

We were there for three and half weeks. The unit was everything and more. Michael took very good care of us. Anything we asked he helped us with it. We rented a car from him and this worked out very well. We had our dog with us so it was the perfect vacation. This is the 4th time we've rented in Nettle Bay Beach Resort and this unit is by far the best. We are already planning our 2011 holidays in this unit. The unit is just as pictured with the exception of the outside awning (it had blown off in a storm and had not been replaced). We cannot make enough positive comments about this unit and Michael.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

Perfect Vacation Spot!

Guest Jayne
Date of stay 12/03/10
Review Submitted 01/04/11

Just what we where looking for!! On the beach, low key, relaxing vacation.. Pictures are accurate except there was no outside awning up when we where there. Villa has everything.. being able to watch the leafs on TV beachside with a beer in hand made the whole vacation a success for husband. Micheal took very good care of us and we rented his jeep which is necessary to get around. Definitely do the extreme zipline and drinks at the bar beside airport runway. Really enjoyed St.Maarten and would definitely go back but stay longer. Thank you Micheal, your hospitality was great!!!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

AWESOME VACATION HOME!

Guest Holly
Date of stay 06/11/10
Review Submitted 06/21/10

WE LOVED THIS PLACE! My husband, 17 month old son and I stayed at the Monte Cristo? in June 2010. This place is beautifully decorated with high end features, and a great location. The beach and pool are only steps away. The views are ABSOLUTLY FABULOUS! The outside patio is wonderful, very relaxing. We loved that it had a little fence around it. It was helpful to keep our son from running all over the place. He loved the rock garden. It was a wonderful family vacation. We met with Simona and Petra who helped us with the accommodations because Michael and his family were not on the island when we stayed. They were very nice and helpful. We would recommend everyone to stay here. The pictures don’t do it justice, it is even more beautiful. The kitchen was perfect for our needs. We shopped at the grocery store near the airport because it was a little cheaper. (Dutch side) The pizza place across the street from Nettle bay is really tasty and the pies are very large with thin crust. We traveled to a different beach each day. Our favorite was Mullet bay and Baie Rouge which are both less than 10 minute drive from the condo. The electrical outlets are European, so if travelling from US bring a convertor. CAN’T WAIT TO GO BACK!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Always welcome.Thank you very much Michael

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 16/16

Vacation Rentals by Owner

Luxury Beachfront Apartment on the Beach and Tropical Garden - Newly R [#417417] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (16)

Vacation

Vacation

merveilleux

merveilleux

Perfect Honeymoon Hideaway

Perfect Honeymoon Hideaway

Two stars at the most.....maybe.

Two stars at the most.....maybe.

Nettle Bay Beach Club (rental # 250174)

Nettle Bay Beach Club (rental # 250174)

Beachfront Paradise!

Beachfront Paradise!

wish i was there right now....

wish i was there right now....

Great vacation

Great vacation

Home away from Home

Home away from Home

Beautiful condo

Beautiful condo

Sun, Surf, Sand... what more can you ask for :)

Sun, Surf, Sand... what more can you ask for :)

Spring Get-away 2011

Spring Get-away 2011

Fabulous 2 Weeks

Fabulous 2 Weeks

Holidays 2010

Holidays 2010

Perfect Vacation Spot!

Perfect Vacation Spot!

AWESOME VACATION HOME!

AWESOME VACATION HOME!